Electric bicycle and battery lift mechanism and battery carrying device thereof

ABSTRACT

An electric bicycle and a battery lift mechanism and a battery carrying device thereof are disclosed. The battery lift mechanism includes a bracket, a carrier for carrying a battery, an upward-force device coupling with the carrier, and a locking device selectively in an unlocked state or a locked state. The carrier is movable relative to the bracket along an up-down path; the upward-force device is capable of applying an upward force to the carrier. When the locking device is in the locked state, the locking device interferes with the battery to limit the relative movement between the battery and the bracket. When the locking device is in the unlocked state, the interference between the locking device and the battery is removed, so that the upward-force device drives the carrier carrying the battery to move upward relative to the bracket.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The invention generally relates to an electric bicycle and a batterylift mechanism and a battery carrying device thereof. Particularly, theinvention relates to an electric bicycle and a battery lift mechanismand a battery carrying device thereof, which is capable of locking thebattery and/or automatically lifting the battery.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Riding bicycles currently have become a popular outdoor activity,instead of merely a manner of traffic transportations. However, notevery rider is physically capable of riding a long course or a toughmountain-climbing course. Electric bicycles are therefore designed witha motor to assist the rider's pedal-power.

Electric bicycles generally utilize batteries as the power source formotor, and the battery is usually mounted on the frame of bicycle.However, since the space on the frame is limited, the battery size isalso restricted in order to provide an easy access to the battery.Moreover, in order to prolong the operation time of the assisted power,the capacity and size of battery are accordingly enlarged. The enlargedbattery makes the mounting or dismounting process more difficult due tothe complicated battery-carrying structure or the easiness ofinterfering with the frame, making the rider's experience lesssatisfaction. In addition, with the assistance of auxiliary power, theriders tend to explore the wild area, which usually has bad roadcondition, increasing the possibility of battery falling off thebicycle.

Therefore, how to enhance the battery carrying mechanism and effectivelyutilize the space on the frame with easy replacement of the battery is achallenging issue.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an electric bicycle and abattery lift mechanism thereof, which has the upward-force device tomake the battery automatically pop-up so as to increase the convenienceof dismounting the battery from the bicycle.

In an embodiment, the invention provides a battery lift mechanism, whichincludes a bracket, a carrier for carrying a battery and movablerelative to the bracket along an up-down path, an upward-force devicecoupling with the carrier and applying an upward force to the carrier,and a locking device being selectively in an unlocked state or a lockedstate, wherein when the locking device is in the locked state, thelocking device interferes with the battery to limit the relativemovement between the battery and the bracket; when the locking device isin the unlocked state, the interference between the locking device andthe battery is removed, so that the upward-force device drives thecarrier carrying the battery to move upward relative to the bracket.

In an embodiment, the upward-force device is a gas spring. The gasspring includes a cylinder and a rod. The rod is capable of extendingrelative to the cylinder due to pressure activation of the cylinder todrive the carrier to move upward.

In an embodiment, the bracket has a restraining portion for restraininga lateral movement of the battery with respect to the bracket.

In an embodiment, the locking device includes a lock body, a tongue, andan interfering unit. The tongue is capable of extending out orretracting into the lock body in response to the locked state or theunlocked state of the lock body. When the lock body is in the lockedstate, the tongue extends outward to push the interfering unit forwardto interfere with the battery. When the lock body is in the unlockedstate, the tongue retracts into the lock body to release theinterference of the interfering unit with the battery.

In an embodiment, the interfering unit includes an engaging member andan elastic unit. When the lock body is in the locked state, the tongueextends outward to push the engaging member against the battery andcompress the elastic unit. When the lock body is in the unlocked state,the tongue retracts and the elastic unit provides a restoring force todrive the engaging member away from the battery.

In an embodiment, the battery lift mechanism further includes a stopperrotatable relative to the bracket to selectively block or unblock theup-down path, wherein the locking device includes an engaging member anda lock body selectively in the locked state or the unlocked state. Whenthe lock body is in the locked state, the engaging member interfereswith the stopper to restrict the rotation of the stopper, so the stopperblocks the up-down path. When the lock body is in the unlocked state,the interference between the engaging member and the stopper isreleased, so the stopper is rotatable relative to the bracket to unblockthe up-down path.

In an embodiment, the engaging member has two protrusions. When the lockbody is in the locked state, the two protrusions interfere with thebattery and the stopper, respectively. When the lock body is in theunlocked state, the interference of the engaging member with the batteryand the stopper is released simultaneously.

In an embodiment, the battery lift mechanism further includes a cushiondisposed on the stopper, wherein when the stopper blocks the up-downpath, the cushion is pressed against the battery.

In another embodiment, the invention provides an electric bicycle, whichincludes a frame and a battery lift mechanism mounted on the frame. Theframe includes an upper tube and a lower tube. The upper tube has afront end, an upper surface, a lower surface, and a through holepenetrating the upper tube. The lower tube is connected to the lowersurface of the upper tube. The upper tube has a longitudinal axis. Thebattery lift mechanism includes a bracket mounted on the lower tube, acarrier for carrying a battery and movable relative to the bracket alongan up-down path, an upward-force device coupling with the carrier andbeing capable of driving the carrier to move upward relative to thebracket along the up-down path, a stopper movably disposed neighboringto the through hole to selectively block or unblock the up-down path,and a locking device being disposed on the front end of the upper tubeand selectively in an unlocked state or a locked state. The up-down pathintersects the longitudinal axis with a predetermined angle. When thelocking device is in the unlocked state, the locking device is separatedfrom the stopper to allow the stopper to be away from the up-down pathand the upward-force device drives the carrier carrying the battery tomove upward relative to the bracket, so that a top end of the batterypasses the through hole at the predetermined angle to protrude from theupper surface of the upper tube. When the locking device is in thelocked state, the locking device interferes with at least one of thebattery and the stopper to block the carrier carrying the battery tomove upward along the up-down path.

In an embodiment, the battery has a longitudinal axis and a crosssection perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The cross section issmaller than the through hole in size. When the carrier carrying thebattery moves along the up-down path, the longitudinal axis maintainsparallel to the up-down path.

It is another object of the invention to provide an electric bicycle anda battery carrying device thereof to selectively lock the battery so asto restrict the dismounting of battery.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide an electric bicycleand a battery carrying device thereof to provide dual interference withthe battery and the stopper to effectively enhance the locking ofbattery.

In an embodiment, the invention provides a battery carrying device forcarrying a battery. The battery carrying device includes a carrier forcarrying the battery which is movable along an in-out path to be removedfrom the carrier, a stopper selectively blocking or unblocking thein-out path, a lock body selectively in an unlocked state or in a lockedstate, and an engaging member movable relative to the lock body inresponse to the unlocked state or the locked state of the lock body. Theengaging member includes a first engaging portion and a second engagingportion corresponding to the battery and the stopper, respectively. Whenthe lock body is in the locked state, the first engaging portioninterferes with the battery to restrict the battery to move along thein-out path, and the second engaging portion interferes with thestopper, so the stopper maintains blocking the in-out path. When thelock body is in the unlocked state, the interference of the firstengaging portion with the battery and the interference of the secondengaging portion with the stopper are released to allow the battery tomove along the in-out path.

In an embodiment, the battery carrying device further includes a tonguemoveably coupling with the lock body, wherein when the lock body is inthe locked state, the tongue extends out the lock body in response tothe locked state of the lock body to push the engaging member forward,so the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion interferewith the battery and the stopper, respectively. When the lock body is inthe unlocked state, the tongue retracts into the lock body to releasethe interference of the first engaging portion with the battery and theinterference of the second engaging portion with the stopper.

In an embodiment, the battery carrying device further includes a cushiondisposed on the stopper, wherein when the stopper blocks the up-downpath, the cushion is pressed against the battery.

In another embodiment, the invention provides an electric bicycle, whichincludes a frame and a battery carrying device described, which ismounted on the frame.

In an embodiment, the stopper is a cover. When the lock body is in thelocked state, the cover blocks the in-out path. When the lock body is inthe unlocked state, the cover is rotatable relative to the frame toallow the battery to move in and out the carrier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic views of the electric bicycle in anembodiment of the invention, wherein FIG. 1A shows that the battery isseated on the battery lift mechanism, and FIG. 1B shows that the batteryprotrudes upward from the upper tube driven by the upward-force device.

FIG. 1C is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 1B.

FIGS. 2A-1, 2A-2 and 2B are respectively a schematic view, an explodedview, and a cross-sectional view of the battery lift mechanism in anembodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 2C and 2D are respectively a schematic view and a cross-sectionalview of the battery moving upward from the battery lift mechanism ofFIGS. 2A-1 and 2B.

FIG. 3A is a schematic view of the battery lift mechanism in anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 3B and 3C are respectively a schematic view and a cross-sectionalview of the battery moving upward from the battery lift mechanism ofFIG. 3A.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are respectively schematic views the battery liftmechanism equipped with the decoration cover, wherein FIG. 4A shows thatthe battery is seated on the battery lift mechanism, and FIG. 4B showsthat the battery moves upward.

FIG. 4C is an exploded view of FIG. 4A without showing the lockingdevice.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic view of the battery lift mechanism inanother embodiment of the invention, wherein FIG. 5A shows that thebattery moves upward, and FIG. 5B shows that the battery is seated onthe battery lift mechanism.

FIGS. 6A to 6C are respectively partially schematic views and aperspective view of the electric bicycle in another embodiment of theinvention, wherein FIG. 6A shows that the battery is locked on the frameby the battery carrying device; FIG. 6B shows that the battery carryingdevice releases interferences with the battery and the stopper to allowthe battery to be removed from the frame; FIG. 6C is a partialperspective view of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A is a schematic view of FIG. 6A to show the lock body of thebattery carrying device in the locked state.

FIG. 7B is a schematic view of FIG. 6A to show the lock body of thebattery carrying device in the unlocked state.

FIG. 7C is a schematic view of FIG. 6B to show that the stopper of thebattery carrying device rotates relative to the frame.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are respectively a perspective view and a schematic sideview of the lock body and the engaging member in an embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The invention is related to an electric bicycle and a battery liftmechanism thereof to restrict the movements of battery for providingpower during riding the bicycle and to provide an automatic battery liftfunction when the battery needs to be replaced or removed from thebicycle. Moreover, the invention is also related to an electric bicycleand a battery carrying device to restrict the movements of battery forproviding power during riding the bicycle and to allow the battery to bemovable when the battery needs to be replaced or removed from thebicycle. Hereinafter, the electric bicycle of the invention and thebattery lift mechanism and the battery carrying device thereof will bedescribed in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C, in an embodiment, an electric bicycle 1includes a frame 10 and a battery lift mechanism 20. The battery liftmechanism 20 is mounted on the frame 10 and includes a bracket 210, acarrier 220, an upward-force device 230, and a locking device 240. Inthis embodiment, the bracket 210 is configured to support the battery30. The carrier 220 is configured to carry the battery 30 and is movablerelative to the bracket 210 along an up-down path P. The upward-forcedevice 230 couples with the carrier 220 and is capable of applying anupward force to the carrier 220. The locking device 240 can beselectively in an unlocked state or a locked state so as to allow orrestrict the battery 30 to move relative to the bracket 210. As shown inFIGS. 2A-1 and 2B, when the locking device 240 is in the locked state,the locking device 240 interferes with the battery 30 to limit therelative movement between the battery 30 and the bracket 210, so as toensure the battery providing power to the bicycle. As shown in FIGS. 2Cand 2D, when the locking device 240 is in the unlocked state, theinterference between the locking device 240 and the battery 30 isremoved, so that the upward-force device 230 drives the carrier 220carrying the battery 30 to move upward relative to the bracket 210.

As shown in FIG. 1A, in this embodiment, the frame 10 includes an uppertube 110, a lower tube 120, and a seat tube 132. The upper portion ofthe lower tube 120 is connected to the upper tube 110 and the middleportion of the lower tube 120 slants and extends downward and backward,so that the lower end of the lower tube 120 is connected to the seattube 132. The bracket 210 of the battery lift mechanism 20 is preferablymounted on the lower tube 120 and extends along the lower tube 120.Particularly, the upper tube 110 is a tube of the frame 10 that has alongitudinal axis A extending from the front to the rear. The upper tube110 has a front end 112, an upper surface 114, and a lower surface 116.The front end 112 of the upper tube 110 is neighboring to the frontwheel 130. The upper surface 114 and the lower surface 116 of the uppertube 110 are two opposite surfaces of the tube in the radial directionthat face upward away from the ground and downward closer to the ground,respectively. The lower tube 120 is connected to the lower surface 116of the upper tube 110 and preferably slants and extends downward andbackward from the lower surface 116 of the upper tube 110 that isadjacent to the front end 112. The upper tube 110 further has a throughhole 118. The through hole 118 penetrates the upper tube 110 to form achannel for the battery 30 passing the upper tube 110 when the battery30 moves upward. Specifically, the through hole 18 forms two openings onthe upper surface 114 and the lower surface 116 of the upper tube 110.The through hole 118 is disposed neighboring where the lower tube 120and the upper tune 110 are connected. When the carrier 220 carries thebattery 30 to move upward, the battery 30 preferably moves upward alongthe lower tube 120, so that a top end of the battery 30 passes thethrough hole 118 from the lower surface 116 to protrude from the uppersurface 114 of the upper tube 110. As such, the rider can grip the topend of the battery 30 to easily remove the battery 30 from the frame 10.

As shown in FIG. 1C, the battery 30 has a longitudinal axis L. When thebattery 30 is seated on the carrier 220, the longitudinal axis L ispreferably parallel to the extending direction of the bracket 210, andthe up-down path P intersects the longitudinal axis A with apredetermined angle θ. When the carrier 220 carries the battery 30 tomove along the up-down path P, the longitudinal axis L preferablymaintains parallel to the up-down path P, so that the top end of thebattery 30 passes the through hole 118 at the predetermined angle θ toprotrude from the upper surface 114 of the upper tube 110. Moreover, thebattery 30 has a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L,and the cross section is smaller than the through hole 118 in size.Specifically, the widths 118 a, 118 b of the openings of the throughhole 118 on the lower surface 116 and the upper surface 114 are largerthan the width W of the cross section. It is noted that the widths 118a, 118 b can be modified according to the predetermined angle θ. Forexample, when the difference of the predetermined angle θ and the rightangle (i.e. 90 degrees) becomes larger, i.e. the battery 30 is moreinclined with respect to the upper tube 110, the widths 118 a, 118 b ofthe through hole 118 become larger. when the predetermined angle θapproaches to the right angle (i.e. 90 degrees), i.e. the battery 30stands more upright with respect to the upper tube 110, the widths 118a, 118 b of the through hole 118 become smaller. In this embodiment, thepredetermined angle θ is preferably larger than 90 degrees, but notlimited thereto. In another embodiment, according to the connected angleof the upper tube 110 and the lower tube 120, the predetermined angle θcan be smaller than or equal to 90 degrees.

The battery lift mechanism 20 further includes a stopper 250. Thestopper 250 is movably disposed neighboring to the through hole 118 toselectively block or unblock the up-down path P. Particularly, thestopper 250 is rotatable relative to the upper surface 114 of the uppertube 110 to selectively at least partially shield the opening of thethrough 118 on the upper surface 114 of the upper tube 110 so as toblock the up-down path P. In this embodiment, when the locking device240 is in the locked state, the locking device 240 interferes with atleast one of the battery 30 and the stopper 250 to block the carrier 220carrying the battery 30 to move upward along the up-down path P.Hereinafter, the battery lift mechanism 20 of the invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 2A-1 to 2D, in an embodiment, the upward-force device230 is a gas spring. The gas spring includes a cylinder 232 and a rod234. The rod 234 is capable of extending relative to the cylinder 232due to pressure activation of the cylinder 232 to drive the carrier 220to move upward. The bracket 210 has a slot 212 for guiding the movementof the rod 234. The upward-force device 230 and the carrier 220 aredisposed on two opposite sides with respect to the slot 212. The rod 234is connected to the carrier 220 through the slot 212 and moves relativeto the cylinder 232 along the slot 212. Particularly, the slot 212extends along the longitudinal axis of the bracket 210 and the extendingdirection of the slot 212 is parallel to the up-down path P. The carrier220 includes a base 222 and a connection part 224. The base 222 carriesand supports the battery 30, and the connection part 224 extends alongthe bracket 210 and connects the rod 234. Moreover, the base 222 of thecarrier 220 can be disposed with electrical contacts for electricallyconnecting the battery 30, but not limited thereto. In this embodiment,the base 222 and the connection part 224 are connected as an L-shapedcarrier 220, and the rod 234 and the base 222 are connected to twoopposite ends (i.e. top end and bottom end) of the connection part 224,respectively. In this embodiment, the rod 234 can be connected to theconnection part 224 by a bolt 236. Specifically, the bolt 236 extendsfrom one side of the rod 234 and passes through the slot 212 to besecured to the connection part 224, so that when the rod 234 moves withrespect to the cylinder 232 along the slot 212, the movement of the rod234 can drive the carrier 220 to move relative to the bracket 210 andthe battery 30 accordingly moves relative to the bracket 210.

The bracket 210 further has a restraining portion 214 for restraining alateral movement of the battery 30 with respect to the bracket 210. Therestraining portion 214 is preferably disposed on an end of the bracket210 along the longitudinal direction opposite to the carrier 220, suchas on the end of the bracket 210 that is neighboring to the upper tube110. The restraining portion 214 is embodied as a restraining ring thatprotrudes from the bracket 210 and surrounds the battery 30, but notlimited thereto. In another embodiment, the restraining portion 214 canbe embodied as restraining bars or plates that protrudes from two sidesof the bracket 210 to be positioned on the lateral sides of the battery30. Moreover, a plurality of restraining portions 214 can be separatelydisposed on the bracket 210 along the longitudinal direction.

The locking device 240 includes a lock body 242, a tongue 244, and aninterfering unit 246. The tongue 244 is capable of extending out orretracting into the lock body 242 in response to the locked state or theunlocked state of the lock body 242, so the interfering unit 246 canselectively interfere with at least one of the battery 30 and thestopper 250. In an embodiment, the interfering unit 246 includes a baseplate 245, an engaging member 247, and an elastic unit 248. The engagingmember 247 is movable relative to the base plate 245 to selectivelycompress the elastic unit 248. In this embodiment, the locking device240 is preferably disposed corresponding to the bracket 210, and thebracket 210 further has a positioning plate 215, so the lock body 242and the interfering unit 246 are disposed on two opposite sides of thebracket 210, respectively. The positioning plate 215 further has anopening 215 a, and the base plate 245 has a hole 245 a communicatingwith the opening 215 a to form a channel for the tongue 244 accessingthe interfering unit 247, but not limited thereto. In anotherembodiment, the locking device 240 can be mounted on other parts, suchas the upper tube 110, of the electric bicycle by other configurations.Hereinafter, the embodiment of the engaging member 247 simultaneouslyinterfering with the battery 30 and the stopper 250 will be described indetail. However, in another embodiment, the engaging member 247 can bedesigned to interfere with only one of the battery 30 and the stopper250. It is noted that the battery lift mechanism 20 preferably includesthe stopper 250, but in the case that the engaging member 247 isdesigned to interfere with only the battery 30, the battery liftmechanism 20 may or may not have the stopper 250.

In this embodiment, the interfering unit 246 is fixed on the positioningplate by the base plate 245, so the engaging member 247 can moverelative to the base plate 245 and the positioning plate 215. Theengaging member 247 has two protrusions 247 a, 247 b, which interferewith the battery 30 and the stopper 250, respectively. The engagingmember 247 can be embodied as a U-shaped block with two sidewalls ofdifferent lengths to form as the protrusions 247 a, 247 b at the distalend and a space 247 c enclosed between the two sidewalls. The stopper250 has a recess 252 corresponding to the protrusion 247 b. The elasticunit 248 can be embodied as a spring and disposed in the space 247 c ofthe engaging member 247 and between the engaging member 247 and the baseplate 245. In this embodiment, the lock body 242 is a key lock, but inanother embodiment, the lock body 242 can be a combination lock. Thetongue 244 couples with the lock body 242. When the lock body 242 is inthe unlocked state, the tongue 244 is allowed to move relative to thelock body 242. When the lock body 242 is in the locked state, the tongue244 is restricted to move relative to the lock body 242.

The bracket 210 further has a first pivot portion 216, and the stopper250 has a second pivot portion 254 corresponding to the first pivotportion 216. The first pivot portion 254 couples with the second pivotportion 216 to form a pivot, so that the stopper 250 can rotate relativeto the bracket 210 to selectively block or unblock the up-down path P.The first pivot portion 216 and the locking device 240 are preferablydisposed on two opposite sides of the bracket 210, respectively, so whenthe stopper 250 rotates relative with the bracket 210, the stopper 250rotates away from or close to the locking device 240. The firs pivotportion 216 is preferably disposed at one side of the restrainingportion 214 and away from the slot 212. The second pivot portion 254 andthe recess 252 are disposed on two opposite sides of the stopper 250,respectively. It is noted that in this embodiment, the stopper 250 isillustrated as being rotatable relative to the bracket 210 and thendisposed on the upper tube 110 corresponding to the through hole 118,but not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the stopper 250 can bedirectly and rotatably mounted on the upper tube 110, so the stopper 250can selectively rotate relative to the bracket 210 to approach or moveaway from the locking device 240 and to achieve the function of blockingor unblocking the up-down path P.

Moreover, the stopper 250 is preferably designed to automatically rotaterelative to the bracket 210 as the locking device 240 does not interferewith the stopper 250, so the stopper 250 can automatically rotate awayfrom the trough hole 118 to unblock the up-down path P. For example, atorsion spring can be disposed where the first pivot portion 216 and thesecond pivot portion 245 couple, so when the interference with thestopper 250 is released, the stopper 250 can automatically rotaterelative to the bracket 210 and away from the through hole 118 tounblock the up-down path P due to the restoring force of the torsionspring, but not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the stopper 250can manually rotate relative to the bracket 210.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-1 and 2B as well as FIG. 1A, the battery 30mounted on the battery lift mechanism 20 is illustrated. As shown inFIGS. 2A-1 and 2B, when the battery 30 is mounted on the batter liftmechanism 20, the stopper 250 rotates to be located above the throughhole 118 (i.e. above the battery 30) to block the up-down path P, andthe rod 234 of the upward-force device 230 is located at the bottom ofthe slot 212, so the carrier 220 is located at the bottom of the bracket210. In this configuration, the lock body 242 is in the locked state, sothe tongue 244 extends outward to push the interfering unit 246 tointerfere with at least one of the battery 30 and the stopper 250.Particularly, when the lock body 242 is in the locked state, the tongue244 extends outward to pass through the opening 215 a of the positioningplate 215 and the hole 245 a of the base plate 245 to push the engagingmember 247 toward the battery 30 and the stopper 250 and compress theelastic unit 248. The movement of the engaging member 247 drives theprotrusion 247 a against the top portion of the battery 30 and theprotrusion 247 b engaging with the recess 252 of the stopper 250. Assuch, the battery 30 can be stably seated on the battery lift mechanism20 to provide power to the electric bicycle 1.

Referring to FIGS. 2C and 2D as well as FIG. 1B, the operation of thebattery lift mechanism 20 is illustrated. As shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D,when the lock body 242 is in the unlocked state, the tongue 244 retractsto release the interference of the interfering unit 246 with the battery30 and/or the stopper 250. Particularly, the user can use a key 40 torotate the lock core of the lock body 242 or input the correctcombination to enable the lock body 242 to be in the unlocked state, sothe tongue 244 becomes movable, or to enable the lock body 242 to be inthe locked state and drive the tongue 244 to retract into the lock body242. When the tongue 244 retracts toward the lock body 242, thecompressed elastic unit 248 provides the restoring force to drive theengaging member 247 to move away from the battery 30 and the stopper 250(i.e. move toward the retracting direction of the tongue 244), so theprotrusion 247 a separates from the top portion of the battery 30 andthe protrusion 247 b separates from the recess 252 of the stopper 250,simultaneously, to release the interference with the battery 30 and thestopper 250. In this configuration, the user can manually rotate thestopper 250 or the stopper 250 can automatically rotate by the restoringforce of the torsion spring, so the stopper 250 rotates away from thelocking device 240 to unblock the up-down path P. When the up-down pathP is unblocked, the rod 234 of the upward-force device 230 extendsrelative to the cylinder 232 due to pressure activation of the cylinder232 to move from the bottom to the top of the slot 212 and to drive thecarrier 220 carrying the battery 30 to move upward along the up-downpath P by a predetermined distance D. As such, the top end of thebattery 30 passes the through hole 118 at the predetermined angle θ toprotrude from the upper surface 114 of the upper tube 110, so the usercan easily remove the battery 30 from the frame 10 by gripping the topend of the battery 30.

When the battery 30 is to be mounted on the electric bicycle 1, thelocking device 240 is in the unlocked state, and the tongue 244 ismovable relative to the lock body 242. As such, the battery 30 can beinserted into the through hole 18 from the upper surface 114 of theupper tube 110 and passes the restraining portion 214 to be seated onthe base 222 of the carrier 220, and a force sufficient to overcome theupward-force provided by the upward-force device 230 can be exerted topush the battery 30 and the carrier 220 to move toward the bottom of thebracket 210 while the rod 234 of the upward-force device 230 also movestoward the bottom of the slot 212, i.e. the rod 234 retracts relative tothe cylinder 232. Then, the stopper 250 can rotate relative to thebracket 210 approaching the engaging member 217, i.e. the stopper 250rotates to be at least partially right above the through hole 118 (i.e.above the battery 30) to block the up-down path P. In thisconfiguration, the user can rotate the key 40 in the key lock or dialthe wheels of the combination lock to make the lock body 242 becomelocked, so that the tongue 244 is not allowed to retract toward the lockbody 242 and the engaging member 247 is pushed by the tongue 244 tocompress the elastic unit 248. Consequently, the protrusions 247 a, 247b interfere with the battery 30 and the stopper 250, respectively, andthe locked state shown in FIGS. 2A-1 and 2B is achieved.

In addition, the bracket 210 can have different guiding designs and notlimited to the slot 212. In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3A to3C, the bracket 210′, the upward-force device 230′ and the carrier 220are guided by the rail 217 and the sliding block 218. Hereinafter, thedifference between this embodiment and the embodiment of FIGS. 2A-1 to2D will be described, other similar components, such as the lockingdevice 240, the stopper 250, etc. can refer to the related descriptionsof the above embodiment. In this embodiment, the bracket 210′ includesthe rail 217 and the sliding block 218. The sliding block 218 isslidably disposed on the rail 217 and connected to the carrier 220′. Therod 234 couples with the sliding block 218 to drive the sliding block218 and the carrier 220′ to move along the rail 217. In this embodiment,the bracket 210′ has two sets of rails 217 and sliding blocks 218. Therail 217 extends along the up-down path P (i.e. the longitudinal axis ofthe bracket 210′). The carrier 220′ and the rod 234 of the upward-forcedevice 230′ are respectively connected to two opposite ends (e.g. thelower end and the upper end) of the sliding block 218, and the carrier220′ and the upward-force device 230′ are respectively disposed on twoopposite sides (e.g. the right hand side and the left hand side) of thesliding block 218. In this embodiment, the carrier 220′ can be designedto have a configuration similar to the base 222, but not limitedthereto. The upward-force device 230′ is preferably disposed between thetwo rails 217, so that rod 234 can be connected to the sliding blocks218 on two sides.

As shown in FIG. 3A, when the battery 30 is mounted on the battery-liftmechanism, the stopper 250 rotates to be above the top end of thebattery 30 to block the up-down path P, and the sliding blocks 218 areon the bottom of the rails 217, so the rod 234 of the upward-forcedevice 230′ is retracted with respective to the cylinder 232 and thecarrier 220′ is located on the bottom of the bracket 210′. In thisconfiguration, the lock body 242 is in the locked state, and the tongue244 extends outward to push the engaging member 247 against the battery30 and the stopper 250 and compress the elastic unit 248. As such, theprotrusion 247 a presses against the top end of the battery 30 and theprotrusion 247 b is engaged with the recess 252 of the stopper 250.Consequently, the battery 30 is stably mounted on the battery liftmechanism to provide power to the electric bicycle 1.

As shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, when the lock body 242 is in the unlockedstate, the tongue 244 retracts into the lock body 242 and the compressedelastic unit 248 provides the restoring force to drive the engagingmember 247 to move away from the battery 30 and the stopper 250, (i.e.move toward the retracting direction of the tongue 244), so theprotrusion 247 a moves away from the top end of the battery 30 and theprotrusion 247 b leaves the recess 252 of the stopper 250. As such, theinterferences of the engaging member 247 with the battery 30 and thebattery 250 are removed. In this configuration, the stopper 50 isallowed to rotate away from the locking deice 240 to unblock the up-downpath P. At the same time, the rod 234 of the upward-force device 230′extends relative to the cylinder 232 due to pressure activation of thecylinder 232 to move from the bottom to the top of the rail 217 and todrive the sliding blocks 218 as well as the carrier 220′ carrying thebattery 30 to move upward along the up-down path P by the predetermineddistance D. As such, the top end of the battery 30 passes the throughhole 118 at the predetermined angle θ to protrude from the upper surface114 of the upper tube 110, so the user can easily remove the battery 30from the frame 10 by gripping the top end of the battery 30. When thebattery 30 is to be mounted on the battery lift mechanism, the operationof inserting the battery 30 into the through hole 118 to be seated onthe base 222 and the locking operation of the locking device back to thelocked state of FIG. 3 are similar to those described in the aboveembodiment, and will not be elaborated again.

Moreover, a variety of decoration covers or cushion materials can beemployed to enhance the mounting stability of the battery 30 and theexterior appearance and of the frame 10 of the electric bicycle 1. Asshown in FIG. 1A, a lower decoration cover 290 is disposed on one sideof the lower tube 120 to cover the lower tube 120 and the upward-forcedevice 230, and a positioning decoration cover 270 and an upperdecoration cover 280 are respectively disposed on the upper tube 110 andthe stopper 250 to enhance the exterior appearance of the electricbicycle 1. Particularly, as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, in an embodiment,the positioning decoration cover 270 is disposed along the extendingdirection (i.e. the longitudinal direction) of the upper tube 110 andhas a positioning tube 272 extending downward. The positioning tube 272has a tubular hole 270 a configured as a channel to allow the battery 30to pass through the positioning decoration cover 270. When thepositioning decoration cover 270 is disposed on the upper tube 110, thepositioning tube 272 preferably at least partially extends into thethrough hole 118 of the upper tube 110, and the tubular hole 270 acommunicates with the through hole 118 to function as a guiding channelfor guiding the upward movement of the battery 30. In anotherembodiment, the length of the positioning tube 272 is so designed thatthe positioning tube 272 is inserted into the through hole 118 from theupper surface 114 of the upper tube 110 and extends to touch the upperedge of the restraining portion 214 of the bracket 210. The positioningtube 272 further has a first opening 272 a and a second opening 272 bcorresponding to the protrusion portions 247 a and 247 b of the engagingmember 247, respectively. When the locking device 240 is in the lockedstate, the protrusion portions 247 a and 247 b of the engaging member247 respectively extend through the first opening 272 a and the secondopening 272 b to interfere with battery 30 and the stopper 250. When thelocking device 240 is in the unlocked state, the protrusion portions 247a and 247 b of the engaging member 247 retract from the first opening272 a and the second opening 272 b to release the interference with thebattery 30 and the stopper 250. The upper decoration cover 280 isdisposed one the stopper 250. When the locking device 240 interfereswith the stopper 250, the upper decoration cover 280 preferablysubstantially shields the gap between the stopper 250 and the uppersurface 114 of the upper tube 110, so the positioning decoration cover270 and the upper decoration cover 280 have a substantial integratedappearance. When the stopper 250 rotates relative to the bracket 210 tounblock the up-down path P, the upper decoration cover 280 and thestopper 250 rotate together to reveal the tubular hole 270 a.

The battery lift mechanism further includes a cushion 260. The cushion260 is disposed on the bottom surface of the stopper 250. When thestopper 250 blocks the up-down path P, the cushion 260 is preferablypressed against the rear top end of the battery 30. The cushion 260 canbe made of elastic materials, such as rubber, foaming materials,silicone. When the protrusion portion 247 a presses against the fronttop end of the battery 30 and the stopper 250 blocks the up-down path P,the cushion 260 is compressed between the stopper 250 and the rear topend of the battery 30 and deforms to increase the mounting stability ofthe battery 30.

In the above embodiments, the upward-force device 230 is embodied as thegas spring, but not limited thereto. In other embodiments, any devicecapable of providing the upward-force to the carrier 220 can be used asthe upward-force device 230. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, theupward-force device 230″ is embodied as an elastic unit, such as aspring. The elastic unit is disposed between the carrier 220 and thebracket 210. As shown in FIG. 5B, when the battery 30 is seated on thebattery lift mechanism and the locking device 240 is in the lockedstate, the elastic unit is compressed. As shown in FIG. 5A, when thelocking device 240 is in the unlocked state and the up-down path P isunblocked, the compressed elastic unit can provide an upward restoringforce to drive the carrier 220 carrying the battery 30 to move upwardalong the up-down path P by the predetermined distance D, so the top endof the battery 30 protrudes from the upper surface 114 of the upper tube110. As such, the battery 30 can be easily pulled out from the uppertube 110 without the need of maintaining enough space between the uppertube 110 and the lower tube 120 for the user accessing the battery 30,so the space of the frame can be effectively utilized for mounting alarger-sized battery.

From the above embodiments, a battery carrying device of the inventionincludes the carrier 220, the stopper 250, the lock body 242, and theengaging member 247. The carrier 220 is provided for carrying thebattery 30, and the battery 30 is movable along an in-out path, such asthe up-down path P, to be removed from the carrier 220. The stopper 250selectively blocks or unblocks the in-out path. The lock body 242 isselectively in the unlocked state or in the locked state. The engagingmember 247 is movable relative to the lock body 242 in response to theunlocked state or the locked state of the lock body 242. The engagingmember 247 includes a first engaging portion, e.g. the first protrusionportion 247 a, and a second engaging portion, e.g. the second protrusionportion 247 b. The first engaging portion and the second engagingportion correspond to the battery 30 and the stopper 250, respectively.As shown in FIG. 2B, when the lock body 242 is in the locked state, thefirst engaging portion, e.g. the first protrusion portion 247 a,interferes with the battery 30 to restrict the battery 30 to move alongthe in-out path such as the up-down path P, and the second engagingportion, e.g. the second protrusion portion 247 b, interferes with thestopper 250, so that stopper 250 maintains blocking the in-out path. Asshown in FIG. 2D, when the lock body 242 is in the unlocked state, theinterference of the first engaging portion, e.g. the first protrusionportion 247 a, with the battery 30 and the interference of the secondengaging portion, e.g. the second protrusion portion 247 b, with thestopper 250 are removed to allow the battery 30 to move along the in-outpath such as the up-down path P, and the stopper 250 is allowed torotate away from the in-out path with respect to the first pivot portion216.

Moreover, as described above, the locking device 240 can further includethe tongue 244 and the elastic unit 248. The tongue 244 moveably coupleswith the lock body 242 and extends or retracts in response to the lockedstate or the unlocked state of the lock body 242. When the lock body 242is in the locked state, the tongue 244 extends out the lock body 242 inresponse to the locked state of the lock body 242 to push the engagingmember 247 forward and compress the elastic unit 248, so the firstengaging portion such as the first protrusion portion 247 a and thesecond engaging portion such as the second protrusion portion 247 binterfere with the battery 30 and the stopper 250, respectively. Whenthe lock body 242 is in the unlocked state, the tongue 244 retracts intothe lock body 242 to release the interference of the first engagingportion such as the first protrusion portion 247 a with the battery 30and the interference of the second engaging portion such as the secondprotrusion portion 247 b with the stopper 250. In other words, when thelocking device 240 is mounted on the frame 10, the lock body 242 isdisposed on the front end of the upper tube 110, and the engaging member247 moves relative to the lock body 242 in response the locked state orthe unlocked state of the lock body 242 to approach or leave the throughhole 118.

In the above embodiment, the lock body 242 is disposed on the upper tube110, and the in-out path (i.e. the up-down path P) of the battery 30 isparallel to the extending direction of the lower tube 120, but notlimited thereto. In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, thebattery carrying device 241 is mounted on the lower tube 120′ of theframe 10′, and the lower tube 120′ has an accommodation trough 122. Thecarrier 220″ of the battery carrying device 241 is disposed in theaccommodation trough 122 for carrying the battery 30. In thisembodiment, the accommodation trough 122 is disposed along the extendingdirection of the lower tube 120′, so the opening of the accommodationtrough 122 is opened along the extending direction of the lower tube120′ and the in-out path P′ of the battery 30 and the extendingdirection of the lower tube 120′ has an included angle. For example, thein-out path P′ of the battery 30 can be (1) a path substantiallyparallel to the radial direction of the lower tube 120′ or (2) a paththat the top end of the battery 30 rotates toward the rear upwarddirection of the lower tube 120′ with the lower end of the battery asthe rotation axis. Moreover, in the above embodiment, the engagingmember 247 has the protrusion portions 247 a, 247 b as the engagingportions to respectively interfere with the battery 30 and the stopper250, and the elastic unit 248 provides the restoring force to releasethe interference, but not limited thereto.

In this embodiment, the battery carrying device 241 includes the carrier220″, a stopper 250′, a lock body 242′, and an engaging member 247′. Thelock body 242′ is disposed on the lower tube 120′, and the lock body242′ is selectively in a locked state or an unlocked state. The carrier220″ is preferably disposed on the lower end of the accommodation trough122. When the battery 30 that is carried by the carrier 220″ isaccommodated in the accommodation trough 122, i.e. the battery 30 ismounted on the electric bicycle, the longitudinal axis of the battery 30is preferably parallel to the extending direction of the lower tube120′. The engaging member 247′ is disposed corresponding to the carrier220″ on the upper end of the accommodation trough 122, and the engagingmember 247′ is movably relative to the lock body 242′ in response to thelocked state or the unlocked state of the locked body 242′ toselectively interfere with the battery 30 and the stopper 250′. In otherwords, in response to the locked state or the unlocked state of the lockbody 242′, the engaging member 247′ can selectively approach the carrier220″ or move away from the carrier 220″ with respect to the lock body242′, so as to interfere with the battery 30 and the stopper 250 or torelease the interference with the battery 30 and the stopper 250. Thestopper 250′ is preferably embodied as a cover. The stopper 250′ ispreferably movably disposed on the lower tube 120′ to selectively blockor unblock the in-out path P′. Particularly, the stopper 250′ isrotatable relative to the surface of the tower tube 120′ to selectivelyshield the opening of the accommodation trough 122 to block the in-outpath P′. For example, the lower tube 120′ has a first pivot portion 216′disposed opposite to the lock body 242′ and corresponding to the carrier220″, and the stopper 250′ has a second pivot portion 254′. The firstpivot portion 216′ and the second pivot portion 254′ form a pivot, sothe stopper 250′ can rotate relative to the lower tube 120′ toselectively block or unblock the in-out path P′. That is, when thestopper 250′ rotate relative to the lower tube 120′, the stopper 250′rotates away from or close to the lock body 242′. As shown in FGI. 6A,when the lock body 242′ is in the locked state, the cover (i.e. thestopper 250′) substantially covers the opening of the accommodationtrough 122, so the frame 10′ has an integral outer appearance and thein-out path P′ of the battery 30 is blocked. As shown in FIG. 6B, whenthe lock body 242′ is in the unlocked state, the cover (i.e. the stopper250′) is rotatable relative to the lower tube 120′ to allow the battery30 to move in and out of the carrier 220″.

As shown in FIGS. 6C and 7A, the engaging member 247′ has a firstengaging portion 247 a′ and a second engaging portion 247 b′corresponding to the battery 30 and the stopper 250′, respectively. Inthis embodiment, the engaging member 247′ is embodied as an integralmoving mechanism with the lock body 242′, so the engaging member 247′can extend out or retract into the lock body 242′ in response to thelocked state or the unlocked state of the lock body 242′. For example,as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, one end of the engaging member 247′ isembodied as a coupling portion 247 c′. One end of the coupling portion247 c′ (i.e. the coupling end 249 a) couples with the lock body 242′, sothe engaging member 247′ moves in response to the locked state or theunlocked state of the lock body 242′. The other end of the couplingportion 247 c′ (i.e. the connection end 249 b) is connected to the firstengaging portion 247 a′ and the second engaging portion 247 b′. In thisembodiment, the coupling portion 247 c′ can be embodied as a post orcolumn extending along the extending direction of the lower tube 120′,so the left end of the coupling portion 247 c′ is the coupling end 249a, and the right end of the coupling portion 247 c′ is the firstengaging portion 247 a′ while the second engaging portion 247 b′ has areversed L shape which couples the middle portion of the couplingportion 247 c′. In another aspect, the coupling portion 247 c′ isembodied as a T-shaped or L-shaped portion, so the coupling end 249 a ofthe coupling portion 247 c′ couples with the lock body 242′, and thefirst engaging portion 247 a′ and the second engaging portion 247 b′embodied as two protrusion portions extending opposite to the lock body242′ from two sides of the connection end 249 b of the coupling portion247 c′. In other words, the coupling end of the coupling portion 247 c′preferably extends parallel to the extending direction of the lower tube120′, and the connection end of the coupling portion 247 c′ preferablyextends parallel to the radial direction of the lower tube 120′. Assuch, the extending direction of the first engaging portion 247 a′ andthe second engaging portion 247 b′ are substantially parallel to theextending direction of the lower tube 120′, and the first engagingportion 247 a′ and the second engaging portion 247 b are disposed alongthe in-out path P′ of the battery 30. That is, first engaging portion247 a′ and the second engaging portion 247 b are disposed along theradial direction of the lower tube 120′, so the first engaging portion247 a′ is closer to the bottom of the accommodation trough 122 (i.e.further away from the opening of the accommodation trough 122), and thesecond engaging portion 247 b is closer to the opening of theaccommodation trough 122. The extending length of the first engagingportion 247 a′ is preferably larger than that of the second engagingportion 247 b′.

In this embodiment, the lock body 242′ can be a key lock. As shown inFIGS. 6C and 7A, when the key 40 rotates the lock core to enable thelock body 242′ to be in the locked state, the rotation of the lock coredrives the engaging member 247′ to extend out the lock body 242′ to movetoward the carrier 220″, and the extending length of the engaging member247′ in the accommodation trough 122 is increased. As such, the firstengaging portion 247 a′ and the second engaging portion 247 b interferewith the battery 30 and the stopper 50′, respectively. For example, thefirst engaging portion 247 a′ presses against the top end of the battery3, while the second engaging portion 247 b is inserted into the recess252′ of the stopper 250′ to restrict the rotation of the stopper 250′relative to the lower tube 120′ and the movement of the battery 30 alongthe in-out path P′. Therefore, the battery 30 can be stably confinedbetween the carrier 220″ and the engaging member 247′, i.e. mounted onthe lower tube 120′.

As shown in FIG. 7B, when the key 40 reversely rotates the lock core toenable the lock body 242′ to be in the unlocked state, the rotation ofthe lock core drives the engaging member 247′ to retract into the lockbody 242′ to move away from the carrier 220″, and the extending lengthof the engaging member 247′ in the accommodation trough 122 is decreased(i.e. the engaging member 247′ moves away from the battery 30 and thestopper 250′). As such, the interference of the first engaging portion247 a′ with the battery 30 and the interference of the second engagingportion 247 b with the stopper 50′ are removed. For example, the firstengaging portion 247 a′ moves away from the top end of the battery 30,while the second engaging portion 247 b escapes from the recess 252′ ofthe stopper 250′. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 6B and 7C, the stopper250′ is rotatable relative to the lower tube 120′ to allow the battery30 to move in and out of the carrier 220″. That is, the stopper 250′ canunblock the in-out path P′ and expose the battery 30, so the user canreplace the battery 30.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed herein, the above description is merely illustrative. Thepreferred embodiments disclosed will not limit the scope of the presentinvention. Further modification of the invention herein disclosed willoccur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modificationsare deemed to be within the scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electric bicycle frame, comprising: a lowertube with an accommodation portion into which a battery is inserted,wherein the accommodation portion is adapted to receive the battery; andan upper tube transversely extending with respect to the lower tube, theupper tube having a front end, a rear end opposite to the front end, anda through hole communicating with the accommodation portion; wherein:the through hole for inserting the battery into the accommodationportion is formed through the upper tube; the upper tube incorporates aseat tube at the rear end and an assembly comprising a stem and a handlebar at the front end; and a longitudinal axis of the lower tube isdisposed to allow insertion of the battery into and removal of thebattery from the accommodation portion without interference with thehandlebar.
 2. The electric bicycle frame of claim 1, further comprisinga stopper movably disposed neighboring the through hole to selectivelyat least partially shield the through hole of the upper tube.
 3. Theelectric bicycle frame of claim 2, further comprising a cushion disposedon the stopper, wherein when the stopper shields the through hole, thecushion is pressed against the battery.
 4. The electric bicycle frame ofclaim 1, further comprising a locking device disposed on the upper tube,wherein the locking device is selectively in an unlocked state or alocked state; when the locking device is in the locked state, thelocking device interferes with the battery to limit a movement of thebattery relative to the accommodation portion; when the locking deviceis in the unlocked state, the interference between the locking deviceand the battery is removed to allow the battery to move relative to theaccommodation portion.
 5. The electric bicycle frame of claim 4, whereinthe locking device comprises a lock body, a tongue, and an interferingunit; the tongue is capable of extending out or retracting into the lockbody in response to the locked state or the unlocked state of the lockbody; when the lock body is in the locked state, the tongue extendsoutward to push the interfering unit forward to interfere with thebattery; when the lock body is in the unlocked state, the tongueretracts into the lock body to release the interference of theinterfering unit with the battery.
 6. The electric bicycle frame ofclaim 4, further comprising a stopper movably disposed neighboring thethrough hole to selectively at least partially shield the through holeof the upper tube, wherein when the stopper shields the through hole,and the locking device is in the locked state, the locking devicefurther interferes with the stopper to limit a movement of the stopperrelative to the upper tube.
 7. The electric bicycle frame of claim 1,further comprising an upward-force device mounted on the lower tube,wherein the upward-force device provides an upward force to move thebattery upward relative to the lower tube.
 8. The electric bicycle frameof claim 7, wherein the upward-force device is a gas spring comprising acylinder and a rod; the rod is capable of extending relative to thecylinder due to pressure activation of the cylinder to move the batteryupward.
 9. The electric bicycle frame of claim 7, wherein theupward-force device is an elastic unit disposed in the accommodationportion under the battery.
 10. The electric bicycle frame of claim 1,wherein the battery has a cross section perpendicular to a longitudinalaxis of the battery; the cross section is smaller than the through holein size.
 11. The electric bicycle frame of claim 1, wherein the lowertube 120 extends downward and backward to be connected to a lower end ofthe seat tube 132.